Laura Spargo
@lauraspargo.bsky.social
📚✍️ Dedicated Primary English specialist.
🇬🇧🇪🇸🇦🇪 Experienced international educator.
✨️📨 Weekly blog, Glimmers in Education: https://substack.com/@lauraspargo
🇬🇧🇪🇸🇦🇪 Experienced international educator.
✨️📨 Weekly blog, Glimmers in Education: https://substack.com/@lauraspargo
Reposted by Laura Spargo
🥳📚📖Tomorrow ! Free! Online! Sign up! 18 November, 16:45 – 17:30 How schools can nourish a reading-for-pleasure culture with community fundraising, wishlists,purpose-driven support. Deborah Maclaren @LoveReading4Kids.bsky.social& Sana Siddiq primary teacher 💫 englishassociation.ac.uk/reigniting-r...
Reigniting Reading for Pleasure: Empowering Schools with LoveReading4Schools (18 November 2025, 16:45 - 17:30) | The English Association
We support the teaching, learning, and enjoyment of English at all levels of education, from early years to further and higher education and beyond.
englishassociation.ac.uk
November 17, 2025 at 12:31 PM
🥳📚📖Tomorrow ! Free! Online! Sign up! 18 November, 16:45 – 17:30 How schools can nourish a reading-for-pleasure culture with community fundraising, wishlists,purpose-driven support. Deborah Maclaren @LoveReading4Kids.bsky.social& Sana Siddiq primary teacher 💫 englishassociation.ac.uk/reigniting-r...
👀 Oracy, poetry and grammar for purpose.
✨️ What an excellent celebration of ambitious English opportunities for all.
Thank you for sharing, @thinktalkleah.bsky.social!
@openingdoors.bsky.social
#EduSky #PrimaryTeachers #Reading #Writing #PrimaryEnglish #Poetry #Oracy
✨️ What an excellent celebration of ambitious English opportunities for all.
Thank you for sharing, @thinktalkleah.bsky.social!
@openingdoors.bsky.social
#EduSky #PrimaryTeachers #Reading #Writing #PrimaryEnglish #Poetry #Oracy
The Next Chapter for high pitch English at Diocese of Chichester Trust schools. Case studies of impact and new doors opening to high pitch writing provision: more oracy more poetry and grammar for purpose. What a joyful and professional group to work with! @openingdoors.bsky.social
November 15, 2025 at 10:18 AM
👀 Oracy, poetry and grammar for purpose.
✨️ What an excellent celebration of ambitious English opportunities for all.
Thank you for sharing, @thinktalkleah.bsky.social!
@openingdoors.bsky.social
#EduSky #PrimaryTeachers #Reading #Writing #PrimaryEnglish #Poetry #Oracy
✨️ What an excellent celebration of ambitious English opportunities for all.
Thank you for sharing, @thinktalkleah.bsky.social!
@openingdoors.bsky.social
#EduSky #PrimaryTeachers #Reading #Writing #PrimaryEnglish #Poetry #Oracy
Reposted by Laura Spargo
Thanks @jillberry102.bsky.social and of course Sam and Tracy @samgibbs.bsky.social @missgoodyear.bsky.social
A powerful voice here on something close to our long term ‘Opening Doors’ work: teacher empowerment
👇👇👇👇👇
A powerful voice here on something close to our long term ‘Opening Doors’ work: teacher empowerment
👇👇👇👇👇
"Experience tells us that ownership, not compliance, drives meaningful change." Great piece from @samgibbs.bsky.social and @missgoodyear.bsky.social in @tesmagazine.bsky.social: www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
What the curriculum review means for schools
As the profession digests the curriculum and assessment review’s recommendations, thoughts turn to putting them into practice, write Tracy Goodyear and Sam Gibbs
www.tes.com
November 9, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Thanks @jillberry102.bsky.social and of course Sam and Tracy @samgibbs.bsky.social @missgoodyear.bsky.social
A powerful voice here on something close to our long term ‘Opening Doors’ work: teacher empowerment
👇👇👇👇👇
A powerful voice here on something close to our long term ‘Opening Doors’ work: teacher empowerment
👇👇👇👇👇
🌟 The power of poetry to inspire and include all is truly great.
👀 Do take a look at this exciting training session taking place in #Newham.
💬 Please do share with colleagues who may be interested in attending.
@openingdoors.bsky.social @thinktalkleah.bsky.social @juliesargent.bsky.social
#EduSky
👀 Do take a look at this exciting training session taking place in #Newham.
💬 Please do share with colleagues who may be interested in attending.
@openingdoors.bsky.social @thinktalkleah.bsky.social @juliesargent.bsky.social
#EduSky
Don’t miss out on this inspiring Opening Doors training happening at Hallsville. We only have a few spaces left! @openingdoors.bsky.social
November 9, 2025 at 9:25 AM
🌟 The power of poetry to inspire and include all is truly great.
👀 Do take a look at this exciting training session taking place in #Newham.
💬 Please do share with colleagues who may be interested in attending.
@openingdoors.bsky.social @thinktalkleah.bsky.social @juliesargent.bsky.social
#EduSky
👀 Do take a look at this exciting training session taking place in #Newham.
💬 Please do share with colleagues who may be interested in attending.
@openingdoors.bsky.social @thinktalkleah.bsky.social @juliesargent.bsky.social
#EduSky
Great spot, Bob. Thank you for sharing.
What a poignant poem and one that certainly would move and engage learners during this important week of remembrance.
What a poignant poem and one that certainly would move and engage learners during this important week of remembrance.
@poetrysociety.org.uk
@poetrybyheart.bsky.social
@joshuaseigal.bsky.social
@coralrumble.bsky.social
@michaelrosenyes.bsky.social
@brianmosespoet.bsky.social
@lauraspargo.bsky.social
@thinktalkleah.bsky.social
@blood-lines.bsky.social
@juliesargent.bsky.social
👇👇👇👇
@poetrybyheart.bsky.social
@joshuaseigal.bsky.social
@coralrumble.bsky.social
@michaelrosenyes.bsky.social
@brianmosespoet.bsky.social
@lauraspargo.bsky.social
@thinktalkleah.bsky.social
@blood-lines.bsky.social
@juliesargent.bsky.social
👇👇👇👇
In WW2 a 19 year old sent his mother a poem. He sadly died; but the poem endured. It’s a long term favourite with our schools via ‘OD to Quality Writing 10-13’ .I’ve just heard it read out at the British Legion Festival on bbc.
John Magee lives on! www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/157986...
John Magee lives on! www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/157986...
November 9, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Great spot, Bob. Thank you for sharing.
What a poignant poem and one that certainly would move and engage learners during this important week of remembrance.
What a poignant poem and one that certainly would move and engage learners during this important week of remembrance.
Reposted by Laura Spargo
Love this- wish I’d read it at 13!
It’s Anti Bullying Week, Nov 10-14th. Brian Moses has put together a helpful collection of poems, over on X. If you don’t venture over to The Dark Side, here’s one that might encourage discussion with your older pupils.
November 9, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Love this- wish I’d read it at 13!
Reposted by Laura Spargo
Unmissable with @lauraspargo.bsky.social presenting!
@thinktalkleah.bsky.social @juliesargent.bsky.social
@englishassociation.bsky.social
@justimaginecentre.bsky.social
@uklitassociation.bsky.social
@natefeed.bsky.social
👇👇👇👇👇
@thinktalkleah.bsky.social @juliesargent.bsky.social
@englishassociation.bsky.social
@justimaginecentre.bsky.social
@uklitassociation.bsky.social
@natefeed.bsky.social
👇👇👇👇👇
Don’t miss out on this inspiring Opening Doors training happening at Hallsville. We only have a few spaces left! @openingdoors.bsky.social
November 7, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Reposted by Laura Spargo
This arrived yesterday by @attielime.bsky.social Looking forward to dipping in!
November 6, 2025 at 8:03 AM
This arrived yesterday by @attielime.bsky.social Looking forward to dipping in!
👀✨️ This looks like such a fantastic event!
✍️💡 'Write to Inspire'. What an aim to instil in the pupils who we teach.
😁 Sounds like a whole lot of joy @thinktalkleah.bsky.social
@openingdoors.bsky.social
#EduSky #PrimaryWriting #PrimaryCurriculum #PrimaryEnglish
✍️💡 'Write to Inspire'. What an aim to instil in the pupils who we teach.
😁 Sounds like a whole lot of joy @thinktalkleah.bsky.social
@openingdoors.bsky.social
#EduSky #PrimaryWriting #PrimaryCurriculum #PrimaryEnglish
What a joy to present the @openingdoors.bsky.social approach to ambitious English at Worcestershire’s ‘Write to Inspire’ conference alongside one of my heroes, Debra Myhill. Huge thanks to Jessica Blakeman and all attendees who kept thinking, reading, writing with me up to 4pm! 🙏🏼
November 6, 2025 at 6:48 PM
👀✨️ This looks like such a fantastic event!
✍️💡 'Write to Inspire'. What an aim to instil in the pupils who we teach.
😁 Sounds like a whole lot of joy @thinktalkleah.bsky.social
@openingdoors.bsky.social
#EduSky #PrimaryWriting #PrimaryCurriculum #PrimaryEnglish
✍️💡 'Write to Inspire'. What an aim to instil in the pupils who we teach.
😁 Sounds like a whole lot of joy @thinktalkleah.bsky.social
@openingdoors.bsky.social
#EduSky #PrimaryWriting #PrimaryCurriculum #PrimaryEnglish
Reposted by Laura Spargo
For those who haven’t yet seen it the review is out! www.gov.uk/government/p... Primary recomm.’s include Oracy Framework -Grammar test revised - higher profile for drama and citizenship ed + @jonnybid.bsky.social @jonny-walker.bsky.social @primaryenglish.bsky.social @kashleyenglish.bsky.social
Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report
The conclusions and recommendations of the independent review of the curriculum, assessment and qualifications system in England.
www.gov.uk
November 5, 2025 at 6:58 AM
For those who haven’t yet seen it the review is out! www.gov.uk/government/p... Primary recomm.’s include Oracy Framework -Grammar test revised - higher profile for drama and citizenship ed + @jonnybid.bsky.social @jonny-walker.bsky.social @primaryenglish.bsky.social @kashleyenglish.bsky.social
Reposted by Laura Spargo
❗ Curriculum review proposals revealed
New curriculum in 2028: schoolsweek.co.uk/new-curricul...
Proposals round-up: schoolsweek.co.uk/curriculum-r...
Subject reccs: schoolsweek.co.uk/curriculum-r...
Q&A with Becky Francis: schoolsweek.co.uk/interview-be...
New curriculum in 2028: schoolsweek.co.uk/new-curricul...
Proposals round-up: schoolsweek.co.uk/curriculum-r...
Subject reccs: schoolsweek.co.uk/curriculum-r...
Q&A with Becky Francis: schoolsweek.co.uk/interview-be...
New curriculum to be introduced in 2028 as review published
Government commits to scrap the EBacc and make citizenship compulsory in primary schools
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 10:36 PM
❗ Curriculum review proposals revealed
New curriculum in 2028: schoolsweek.co.uk/new-curricul...
Proposals round-up: schoolsweek.co.uk/curriculum-r...
Subject reccs: schoolsweek.co.uk/curriculum-r...
Q&A with Becky Francis: schoolsweek.co.uk/interview-be...
New curriculum in 2028: schoolsweek.co.uk/new-curricul...
Proposals round-up: schoolsweek.co.uk/curriculum-r...
Subject reccs: schoolsweek.co.uk/curriculum-r...
Q&A with Becky Francis: schoolsweek.co.uk/interview-be...
Reposted by Laura Spargo
Teachers, prepare for Remembrance Day with this free assembly plan from Teachwire: 'What can the world learn from the poppy fields of Flanders?' ⬇
buff.ly/fCuN9wy
📚 Extract from @willryan3.bsky.social's book, ‘Twenty-First Century School Assembly and Classroom Activities’: buff.ly/YcwSXMI
buff.ly/fCuN9wy
📚 Extract from @willryan3.bsky.social's book, ‘Twenty-First Century School Assembly and Classroom Activities’: buff.ly/YcwSXMI
Remembrance assembly for KS2/3 – What have we learnt?
What can the world learn from the poppy fields of Flanders? This Remembrance assembly answers this important question...
buff.ly
November 3, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Teachers, prepare for Remembrance Day with this free assembly plan from Teachwire: 'What can the world learn from the poppy fields of Flanders?' ⬇
buff.ly/fCuN9wy
📚 Extract from @willryan3.bsky.social's book, ‘Twenty-First Century School Assembly and Classroom Activities’: buff.ly/YcwSXMI
buff.ly/fCuN9wy
📚 Extract from @willryan3.bsky.social's book, ‘Twenty-First Century School Assembly and Classroom Activities’: buff.ly/YcwSXMI
👀 Are you looking for inspiring English units which both challenge and excite your pupils?
🌟🔗 Do take a look at the *FREE* units and webinars (supported by the amazing @englishassociation.bsky.social ) over on the @openingdoors.bsky.social website.
😁 You won't be disappointed!
#FreeWritingResources
🌟🔗 Do take a look at the *FREE* units and webinars (supported by the amazing @englishassociation.bsky.social ) over on the @openingdoors.bsky.social website.
😁 You won't be disappointed!
#FreeWritingResources
Apart from FREE units, you will find a number of FREE webinars on vital aspects of English via The English Association searchingforexcellence.co.uk/free-resourc...
Free Resources
Example Units So many teachers are asking about the ‘Opening Doors’ series as a whole that I thought I would post some full units for you to peruse and use from ‘Opening Doors to …
searchingforexcellence.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 8:44 PM
👀 Are you looking for inspiring English units which both challenge and excite your pupils?
🌟🔗 Do take a look at the *FREE* units and webinars (supported by the amazing @englishassociation.bsky.social ) over on the @openingdoors.bsky.social website.
😁 You won't be disappointed!
#FreeWritingResources
🌟🔗 Do take a look at the *FREE* units and webinars (supported by the amazing @englishassociation.bsky.social ) over on the @openingdoors.bsky.social website.
😁 You won't be disappointed!
#FreeWritingResources
Reposted by Laura Spargo
Is your school's "improvement" culture just more top-down initiatives?
Many school improvement plans fall flat because they lack buy-in.
What if we shifted from "directing" to "developing"?
/1
Many school improvement plans fall flat because they lack buy-in.
What if we shifted from "directing" to "developing"?
/1
November 2, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Is your school's "improvement" culture just more top-down initiatives?
Many school improvement plans fall flat because they lack buy-in.
What if we shifted from "directing" to "developing"?
/1
Many school improvement plans fall flat because they lack buy-in.
What if we shifted from "directing" to "developing"?
/1
📖 A lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
💭 If you haven't read Squid Squad by @aoifedooley.bsky.social I would highly recommend doing so.
😆 Full of laughs, vibrant characters and exquisitely illustrated detail.
❤️ I just love Zing!
@justimaginecentre.bsky.social
#EduSky #PrimaryReading #books
💭 If you haven't read Squid Squad by @aoifedooley.bsky.social I would highly recommend doing so.
😆 Full of laughs, vibrant characters and exquisitely illustrated detail.
❤️ I just love Zing!
@justimaginecentre.bsky.social
#EduSky #PrimaryReading #books
November 1, 2025 at 3:42 PM
📖 A lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
💭 If you haven't read Squid Squad by @aoifedooley.bsky.social I would highly recommend doing so.
😆 Full of laughs, vibrant characters and exquisitely illustrated detail.
❤️ I just love Zing!
@justimaginecentre.bsky.social
#EduSky #PrimaryReading #books
💭 If you haven't read Squid Squad by @aoifedooley.bsky.social I would highly recommend doing so.
😆 Full of laughs, vibrant characters and exquisitely illustrated detail.
❤️ I just love Zing!
@justimaginecentre.bsky.social
#EduSky #PrimaryReading #books
💭 A pleasure to spend an afternoon thinking about poetry & prose.
👻 Even better to be adding a sprinkling of Bram Stoker & Edgar Allan Poe.
💡 Imagine the ideas these rich texts can generate.
📢 Join us at @hallsvillesch.bsky.social on November 26th to find out more! @openingdoors.bsky.social
👻 Even better to be adding a sprinkling of Bram Stoker & Edgar Allan Poe.
💡 Imagine the ideas these rich texts can generate.
📢 Join us at @hallsvillesch.bsky.social on November 26th to find out more! @openingdoors.bsky.social
October 31, 2025 at 12:44 PM
💭 A pleasure to spend an afternoon thinking about poetry & prose.
👻 Even better to be adding a sprinkling of Bram Stoker & Edgar Allan Poe.
💡 Imagine the ideas these rich texts can generate.
📢 Join us at @hallsvillesch.bsky.social on November 26th to find out more! @openingdoors.bsky.social
👻 Even better to be adding a sprinkling of Bram Stoker & Edgar Allan Poe.
💡 Imagine the ideas these rich texts can generate.
📢 Join us at @hallsvillesch.bsky.social on November 26th to find out more! @openingdoors.bsky.social
😂 Spending some time with my friend's son today, I just had to share some laugh-outloud poetry.
📚 He tells me he's doesn't like reading, I know it's because he's on a journey to find the right things to read.
I know what I'll be buying him for Christmas @joshuaseigal.bsky.social!
#Poetry #EduSky
📚 He tells me he's doesn't like reading, I know it's because he's on a journey to find the right things to read.
I know what I'll be buying him for Christmas @joshuaseigal.bsky.social!
#Poetry #EduSky
October 29, 2025 at 4:06 PM
😂 Spending some time with my friend's son today, I just had to share some laugh-outloud poetry.
📚 He tells me he's doesn't like reading, I know it's because he's on a journey to find the right things to read.
I know what I'll be buying him for Christmas @joshuaseigal.bsky.social!
#Poetry #EduSky
📚 He tells me he's doesn't like reading, I know it's because he's on a journey to find the right things to read.
I know what I'll be buying him for Christmas @joshuaseigal.bsky.social!
#Poetry #EduSky
❓️If English is reduced to a weekly spelling test & monitored minutes of reading - what messages are being sent home about the value of literacy?
✨️ Read my glimmer in full for further thoughts 👇🏻
open.substack.com/pub/lauraspa...
@justimaginecentre.bsky.social @openingdoors.bsky.social
#EduSky
✨️ Read my glimmer in full for further thoughts 👇🏻
open.substack.com/pub/lauraspa...
@justimaginecentre.bsky.social @openingdoors.bsky.social
#EduSky
Spelling tests and reading records
the perception of English beyond the classroom.
open.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 5:43 PM
❓️If English is reduced to a weekly spelling test & monitored minutes of reading - what messages are being sent home about the value of literacy?
✨️ Read my glimmer in full for further thoughts 👇🏻
open.substack.com/pub/lauraspa...
@justimaginecentre.bsky.social @openingdoors.bsky.social
#EduSky
✨️ Read my glimmer in full for further thoughts 👇🏻
open.substack.com/pub/lauraspa...
@justimaginecentre.bsky.social @openingdoors.bsky.social
#EduSky
Reposted by Laura Spargo
Talented young writers at Knightwood Primary School have been busy writing some fantastic poetry inspired by ‘The Hippocrump’ by James Reeves! ✍️ buff.ly/NNOfcfS
Get the full lesson plan in Unit 2 of #OpeningDoors to a Quality Writing for ages 6-9 by @openingdoors.bsky.social: buff.ly/hh2NNVU
Get the full lesson plan in Unit 2 of #OpeningDoors to a Quality Writing for ages 6-9 by @openingdoors.bsky.social: buff.ly/hh2NNVU
October 23, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Talented young writers at Knightwood Primary School have been busy writing some fantastic poetry inspired by ‘The Hippocrump’ by James Reeves! ✍️ buff.ly/NNOfcfS
Get the full lesson plan in Unit 2 of #OpeningDoors to a Quality Writing for ages 6-9 by @openingdoors.bsky.social: buff.ly/hh2NNVU
Get the full lesson plan in Unit 2 of #OpeningDoors to a Quality Writing for ages 6-9 by @openingdoors.bsky.social: buff.ly/hh2NNVU
October 23, 2025 at 5:33 PM
🍾 Fantastic to toast this exciting new release at today's RfP conference. So much to think about on my drive home.
❤️📖 At thoroughly superb day!
@teresacremin.bsky.social @debbiethomas.bsky.social @kashleyenglish.bsky.social @uklitassociation.bsky.social @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
#RfP
❤️📖 At thoroughly superb day!
@teresacremin.bsky.social @debbiethomas.bsky.social @kashleyenglish.bsky.social @uklitassociation.bsky.social @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
#RfP
October 18, 2025 at 3:36 PM
🍾 Fantastic to toast this exciting new release at today's RfP conference. So much to think about on my drive home.
❤️📖 At thoroughly superb day!
@teresacremin.bsky.social @debbiethomas.bsky.social @kashleyenglish.bsky.social @uklitassociation.bsky.social @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
#RfP
❤️📖 At thoroughly superb day!
@teresacremin.bsky.social @debbiethomas.bsky.social @kashleyenglish.bsky.social @uklitassociation.bsky.social @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
#RfP
✨️ Wonderful to see the Opening Doors books at the @openuni-rfp.bsky.social and @uklitassociation.bsky.social Reading for Pleasure Conference in Milton Keynes today.
@openingdoors.bsky.social @thinktalkleah.bsky.social @juliesargent.bsky.social @crownhousepub.bsky.social
#ReadingForPleasure
@openingdoors.bsky.social @thinktalkleah.bsky.social @juliesargent.bsky.social @crownhousepub.bsky.social
#ReadingForPleasure
October 18, 2025 at 9:56 AM
✨️ Wonderful to see the Opening Doors books at the @openuni-rfp.bsky.social and @uklitassociation.bsky.social Reading for Pleasure Conference in Milton Keynes today.
@openingdoors.bsky.social @thinktalkleah.bsky.social @juliesargent.bsky.social @crownhousepub.bsky.social
#ReadingForPleasure
@openingdoors.bsky.social @thinktalkleah.bsky.social @juliesargent.bsky.social @crownhousepub.bsky.social
#ReadingForPleasure
Reposted by Laura Spargo
@thinktalkleah.bsky.social
@lauraspargo.bsky.social
@juliesargent.bsky.social
@shellygeeson.bsky.social
@nicolamansfield.bsky.social
@lauraspargo.bsky.social
@juliesargent.bsky.social
@shellygeeson.bsky.social
@nicolamansfield.bsky.social
Comments and pictures from the superb @englishassociation.bsky.social ‘Opening Doors’ conference. Scroll to autumn term news.
www.searchingforexcellence.co.uk
www.searchingforexcellence.co.uk
Searching for Excellence
Award-winning author of the 'Opening Doors' series and educational consultant, Bob Cox.
www.searchingforexcellence.co.uk
October 15, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Reposted by Laura Spargo
After the slow reveal and tasters, the big reveal and whole text enquiry 🙏🏼
October 7, 2025 at 12:40 PM
After the slow reveal and tasters, the big reveal and whole text enquiry 🙏🏼